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María Jiménez Movilla and Francisco Alberto García Vázquez, Researchers at the University of Murcia (UMU), patent a new method of application in studies of fertilization and assisted reproduction techniques supported by nanotechnology.

Specifically, the technique consists in the magnetization of oocytes or embryos to facilitate their manipulation.

In this sense, the experts use a recombinant protein, which is found naturally in the body and that experts produce in the laboratory, serving as a link between the outer part of the oocyte or embryo (called zona pellucida) and the nanoparticles.

"We added these magnetic particles, conjugated to the protein, that adhere to the oocyte or embryo, and, in this way, can be moved or maintained where desired," explains García Vázquez.

In traditional procedures coatings are used to incorporate the molecules that will perform a specific function expected for the nanoparticle.

For example, a drug that you want to introduce into the human body for the treatment of a disease.

In this case the intrinsic property of the nanoparticle, ferric in nature, and its subsequent adhesion to the oocyte or embryo give it the ability to be attracted by a magnetic field and thus be able to be manipulated without the need for physical contact.

One of the limitations in the studies of these cells and in the application of assisted reproduction techniques is the manipulation of the oocyte or the embryo.

With this new methodology, the oocyte or embryo can be moved through surfaces imitating the displacement that they make through the tubes and the uterus before being implanted and in the same way, through a fixed magnetic field the cell can be immobilized and allow to modify the means used in in vitro reproduction techniques without the need for manipulation.

The authors have verified that this technique does not interfere in the fecundating capacity of the oocyte and its behavior is the same as without treatment.

In the field of reproduction it is very important to develop techniques that facilitate the more detailed study of these cells and thus be able to decipher the possible causes of infertility, while designing techniques of in vitro reproduction that mimic as much as possible the fertilizing conditions of natural and thus avoid possible changes in embryonic development.

Source: Universidad de Murcia